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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES: Evaluating the Scientific Support of Conservation Best Management Practices for Shale Gas Extraction in the Appalachian Basin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2013

Scott Bearer ,
Emily Nicholas ,
Tamara Gagnolet ,
Michele DePhilip ,
Tara Moberg  and
Nels Johnson
Scott Bearer
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Community Arts Center, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Emily Nicholas
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Tamara Gagnolet
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Michele DePhilip
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Tara Moberg
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nels Johnson
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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Abstract

Extensive shale gas development is expected throughout the Appalachian Basin, and implementing effective avoidance and mitigation techniques to reduce ecosystem impacts is essential. Adoption of best management practices (BMPs) is an important approach for standardizing these techniques. For BMPs to be credible and effective, they need to be strongly supported by science. We focused on 28 BMPs related to surface impacts to habitat and wildlife and tested whether each practice was supported in the scientific literature. Our quantitative assessment produced four general conclusions: (1) the vast majority of BMPs are broad in nature, which provides flexibility in implementation, but the lack of site-specific details may hamper effectiveness and potential for successful conservation outcomes; (2) relatively low support scores were calculated for a number of BMPs, most notably those relating to noise and light pollution, due to existing research documenting effects on behavior rather than directly on species' survival and fitness—an indication that more research is needed; (3) the most commonly and strongly supported BMPs include landscape-level planning and shared infrastructure; avoidance of sensitive areas, aquatic habitats, and core forest areas; and road design, location, and maintenance; and (4) actions to enhance the development and implementation of BMPs should include public education, increased communication among scientists, improved data sharing, development of site-specific BMPs that focus on achieving ecological outcomes, and more industry collaboration.

Environmental Practice 14:308–319 (2012)

Type
Features
Information
Environmental Practice , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , December 2012 , pp. 308 - 319
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2012

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